Get Country Blocker Pro \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\nExternal Services<\/h3>\n\n
This plugin connects to external services for geolocation functionality and anonymous usage reporting. By using this plugin, you acknowledge that data will be sent to these third-party services.<\/p>\n\n
1. Geolocation Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\nTo determine a visitor's country, the plugin sends the visitor's IP address to our geolocation server:<\/p>\n\n
Simple Tools for WP Geolocation API<\/strong>\n* Service: IP geolocation lookup\n* Data sent: Visitor IP address, your site URL\n* When: On each unique visitor's first page load (cached for 24 hours)\n* Endpoint: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/wp-json\/ssp-geo\/v1\/lookup\n* Privacy: IP addresses are processed only for geolocation purposes and are not stored permanently on our servers\n* Terms: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/terms\/\n* Privacy Policy: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/privacy\/<\/p>\n\n2. Anonymous Usage Statistics<\/strong><\/p>\n\nTwice daily the plugin sends aggregated blocking event statistics to our servers to help us monitor plugin health, improve geolocation accuracy, and understand how the plugin is being used:<\/p>\n\n
Simple Tools for WP Reporting API<\/strong>\n* Service: Anonymous blocking event reporting\n* Data sent: Hashed visitor IP addresses (SHA-256, non-reversible), country codes, block\/allow decisions, plugin version, WordPress version, PHP version, your site URL\n* When: Sent in batches twice daily (8 AM and 8 PM server time)\n* Endpoint: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/wp-json\/ssp-geo\/v1\/report-batch\n* Privacy: Hashed IPs cannot be reversed to identify individuals. No personally identifiable information is transmitted.\n* Terms: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/terms\/\n* Privacy Policy: https:\/\/plugins-for-wp.com\/privacy\/\n* Opt-out: To disable usage reporting for your site, contact support@plugins-for-wp.com<\/p>\n\nData Retention:<\/strong>\nThe plugin stores minimal data on your WordPress database: hashed IP addresses (for rate limiting), country codes, access decisions (blocked\/allowed), and timestamps. You can configure automatic log cleanup in settings. The plugin does not track individual visitors or create profiles.<\/p>\n\nService Terms & Future Pricing<\/h3>\n\n
The geolocation service is currently provided free of charge. We are covering the server and infrastructure costs during this introductory period.<\/p>\n\n
Future pricing may apply:<\/strong> We reserve the right to introduce usage-based pricing for the geolocation service in the future. If pricing is introduced, it would be based on the number of geolocation requests your site makes to our servers.<\/p>\n\nWhy this is permitted:<\/strong> This plugin operates under a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model where the core functionality depends on our external geolocation servers. Under standard software licensing practices and the GPL license, while the plugin code itself is free and open source, external services that the plugin connects to may have their own terms, conditions, and pricing structures. This is similar to how many WordPress plugins offer free plugins that connect to paid external services (email marketing, backup storage, CDN services, etc.).<\/p>\n\nWhat this means for you:<\/strong>\n* The plugin will continue to function as described\n* You will be notified in advance of any pricing changes\n* You are not obligated to continue using the service if pricing is introduced\n* Alternative geolocation solutions can be implemented if you choose not to use our service<\/p>\n\nBy installing and using this plugin, you acknowledge and accept these terms.<\/p>\n\n
Privacy & Data Usage<\/h3>\n\n
This plugin is designed with privacy in mind:<\/p>\n\n
\n- IP addresses are hashed by default before storage<\/li>\n
- Only country codes and access decisions are logged, not full visitor profiles<\/li>\n
- Logs can be automatically cleaned up after a configurable retention period<\/li>\n
- No cookies are set on the visitor's browser<\/li>\n
- No tracking scripts are loaded<\/li>\n
- Geolocation lookups are cached for 24 hours to minimize server requests<\/li>\n
- Anonymous blocking statistics are sent twice daily using non-reversible hashed IPs<\/li>\n
- To opt out of anonymous reporting, contact support@plugins-for-wp.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
For GDPR compliance, the plugin blocks visitors from specified countries, which may reduce your data collection obligations. However, you should still review your complete privacy obligations with a legal professional.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n- Upload the plugin folder to
\/wp-content\/plugins\/<\/code> or install via Plugins \u2192 Add New \u2192 Upload<\/strong><\/li>\n- Activate Country Blocker<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Go to Geoblocker Lite<\/strong> in your admin menu<\/li>\n
- Select countries to block and save settings<\/li>\n
- Visitors from blocked countries will immediately see a 403 restriction page<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
\nDoes this work without an API key?<\/h3><\/dt>\nYes! The plugin works immediately after activation without any API keys. It connects to our managed geolocation server automatically.<\/p><\/dd>\n
Will this block search engines like Google?<\/h3><\/dt>\nNo. The plugin automatically detects and allows search engine crawlers to ensure your SEO is not affected.<\/p><\/dd>\n
Does it store visitor data?<\/h3><\/dt>\nThe free version stores minimal data. IP addresses are hashed by default for privacy. Basic log entries show country codes and access decisions. You can configure automatic log cleanup.<\/p><\/dd>\n
What data is sent to external services?<\/h3><\/dt>\nTwo types of data are sent externally. First, each unique visitor's IP address and your site URL are sent to our geolocation server to determine visitor country - results are cached for 24 hours to minimize requests. Second, twice daily the plugin sends anonymized blocking statistics (hashed IPs, country codes, block\/allow decisions) to our reporting server. See the \"External Services\" section for complete details.<\/p><\/dd>\n
What anonymous data is reported back to your servers?<\/h3><\/dt>\nTwice daily (8 AM and 8 PM) the plugin sends batched statistics including SHA-256 hashed visitor IPs (non-reversible), country codes, block\/allow decisions, plugin version, WordPress version, and PHP version. This data cannot be used to identify individual visitors. To opt out of reporting, contact support@plugins-for-wp.com.<\/p><\/dd>\n
Will it work with Cloudflare?<\/h3><\/dt>\nYes. The plugin automatically detects and uses proxy headers like HTTP_CF_CONNECTING_IP<\/code> to get the real visitor IP address.<\/p><\/dd>\nWhat if I accidentally block myself?<\/h3><\/dt>\nThe WordPress admin login page (\/wp-admin<\/code>) is never blocked. Access your site at yoursite.com\/wp-admin<\/code> and log in normally.<\/p><\/dd>\nCan I block specific US states?<\/h3><\/dt>\nState and province-level blocking is available in Country Blocker Pro for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, India, and China.<\/p><\/dd>\n
Can I block VPN users?<\/h3><\/dt>\nYes. Enable the \"Block VPNs & Data Centers\" option in settings to block known VPN services and hosting providers.<\/p><\/dd>\n
How accurate is the geolocation?<\/h3><\/dt>\nCountry-level accuracy is typically 95%+ for most regions using our MaxMind-powered geolocation server.<\/p><\/dd>\n
Will this plugin always be free?<\/h3><\/dt>\nThe plugin code is free and open source under GPL. The geolocation service is currently provided at no cost. We reserve the right to introduce usage-based pricing for the geolocation service in the future. See \"Service Terms & Future Pricing\" for details.<\/p><\/dd>\n\n<\/dl>\n\n\n
1.1.0 - 2026-03-31<\/h4>\n\n\n- Added full disclosure of anonymous usage reporting in line with WordPress.org guidelines<\/li>\n
- Batch reporting of anonymized blocking statistics to improve geolocation accuracy and plugin health monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.9 - 2026-03-28<\/h4>\n\n\n- Improved geolocation reliability with managed server infrastructure<\/li>\n
- Simplified setup - no API keys or database configuration needed<\/li>\n
- Added Test Blocking feature to verify IP blocking before going live<\/li>\n
- Performance improvements and reduced external dependencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.8 - 2025-02-18<\/h4>\n\n\n- Plugin improvements and optimizations<\/li>\n
- Bug fixes and stability enhancements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.7 - 2025-01-28<\/h4>\n\n\n- Rebranded plugin<\/li>\n
- Updated all URLs and links<\/li>\n
- Removed old branding references<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.6 - 2025-01-28<\/h4>\n\n\n- Updated branding and URLs<\/li>\n
- Updated support links<\/li>\n
- Minor improvements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.5 - 2025-01-16<\/h4>\n\n\n- Added country search functionality<\/li>\n
- Fixed politically sensitive terminology<\/li>\n
- Updated coupon messaging<\/li>\n
- Improved plugin descriptions<\/li>\n
- Performance optimizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.3<\/h4>\n\n\n- Minor updates and improvements<\/li>\n
- Performance optimizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.2<\/h4>\n\n\n- Initial WordPress.org release<\/li>\n
- Country-level geoblocking<\/li>\n
- Basic logging system<\/li>\n
- VPN\/datacenter detection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.1<\/h4>\n\n\n- Internal testing release<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
1.0.0<\/h4>\n\n\n- Initial release<\/li>\n<\/ul>","raw_excerpt":"Block visitors by country in one click. Geo blocker with VPN detection, IP blocking & country restrictions. GDPR & CCPA compliance made easy.","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin\/244726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/plugin"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244726"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wporg\/v1\/users\/jimmyredline80"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"plugin_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_section?post=244726"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_tags?post=244726"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_category?post=244726"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_contributors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_contributors?post=244726"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_business_model","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ar.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_business_model?post=244726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}